REVIEW: “Zootopia 2” (2025)

(Courtesy IMDb) 

There’s a moment in Disney Animation’s latest inevitable blockbuster that not-so-subtly calls out the Hollywood industry’s supposed lack of originality and broad emphasis on sequels, reboots, and franchises in general. And yet, there are rare entries every so often that know how to do something fresh and exciting. Riding the coattail of Moana 2’s surprise run last year, a long-awaited sequel to another of Disney’s most original and ambitious projects in recent years—about an ever-expanding world of anthropomorphic animals—immediately signifies its universal and communal appeal. 

Set one week after the events of it’s terrific predecessor from 2016, Zootopia 2 centers on the working relationship and friendship between bunny Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and fox Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) on a new case involving a snake (voiced by Ke Huy Quan) and the centennial anniversary of the titular city’s creation. Quickly going from officers to framed fugitives, Judy and Nick go on a mission—with help from a podcasting beaver (the eager and enthusiastic Nibbles Maplestick, voiced by comedian Fortune Feimster, steals the show)—to uncover another conspiracy in Zootopia, this time involving a secret reptile population, a proposed land expansion to erase it, and a secret journal (this story’s MacGuffin) that could change everything. There’s also a bit of time for Judy and Nick to attend partners therapy 

Returning directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard fill this fun, entertaining, and worthy follow-up with frenetic action, colorful and lively new places and cultures (including a “Marsh Market” of sea mammals that resembles a water park), and engaging characters of all shapes and sizes. Returning voice actors from the first installment include Idris Elba (as Chief Bogo), Nate Torrence (as Clawhauser), Maurice LaMarche (as Mr. Big), and Shakira (as pop star Gazelle, who has a catchy and infectious new song on the movie’s soundtrack. At the screening I attended, I glanced around the theatre and saw a few kids dancing along). But one of this sequel’s added bonuses is how many voice cameos show up; some are from recent Disney veterans, like John Leguizamo (Encanto), Anika Noni Rose (The Princess and the Frog), and Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson (Moana).  

If the movie falls a bit short, it’s because of some brief recaps of the first pic’s resolution. At least one of Gazelle’s outfits is a bit more suggestive and distracting. Plus, one line—“a place where anyone can be anything”—could be misleading to more than a few discerning viewers. Overall, this flick doesn’t really have any woke or overly-political elements, although many will undoubtedly pick up on its timely and topical themes. 

Amidst this larger world and its history, Zootopia 2 keeps its central arc, team-up, and genuine drama of Judy and Nick in tact, as the two question their partnership and friendship, if it truly means something, and if it’s worth fighting for and proving right. As Judy tells us, “The world will never be a better place if no one is willing to do the right thing.” It’s a small fraction of the narrative’s larger theme of community and connection—and why it’s important to talk to and understand one another—fighting against forces that tear those communities apart for their own greedy and selfish gains (apparently from jealousy and lies). Not to mention visual metaphors of not only renewal, restoration, and shining a light, but also that the world is bigger than any of us, and that there are so many others who deserve/need to have their stories told that haven’t yet. 

Well done, once again, Disney. (Toot-toot.)